Report for the School 2006 to 2007

Click here is you wish to see the Annual Report for the Junior School

Speech Day address by the Head,Graham Wigley, at Friends and Families Day 19th May 2007

Friends, honoured guests, ladies and gentlemen, members of the school, I am delighted to be able to add my own welcome to you to Friends and Families Day.

They call it ‘the honeymoon period’, that time between the initial burst of expectation and anticipation when the new face takes over and that first decision that doesn’t quite fit someone else’s agenda. For me, I was treated to a good old fashioned reality-check when, after about two weeks in the school, I was walking up the drive towards the front door feeling suitably Headmasterly and pleased with myself when I fell into step with a Year 10 girl who was heading in the same direction. Remembering my ‘How to be a Head’ guide with its advice on page 2 to ‘make sure you take every opportunity to get to know your pupils’, I smiled and said ‘hello’.
‘You’re the new Head, aren’t you?’ she said.

I said that I was. We walked on a few steps before she added, ‘They say you’re quite nice. But don’t worry – it won’t last.’ Exit new Head feeling suitably put in his place. A few days later when I was in ‘crusading mode’ walking down Centre Corridor, I came across a young man who should have arrived in class at least 5 minutes previously. ‘Late again, John,’ I said. ‘You as well, Sir,’ he replied. ‘So am I.’

It didn’t take me too long to tune in to the kind of pupils we have at Friends’ School, with their mix of plain speaking and candour. They can be challenging and on occasions (as I’m sure more than one set of parents here would agree) downright infuriating, but above all they have an openness that characterizes the school and establishes an atmosphere that prospective parents and other visitors almost invariably comment upon when I meet them.

I was determined, when I thought about what I would say today, that I would not spend too much time looking backwards. To that end, I hope you enjoy reading the review of the year that forms part of your programme for today. ‘What shall I talk about?’ I asked a group of pupils over lunch. They told me, ‘It doesn’t matter, as long as it’s short.’ I am sure you will agree that to review, summarize and do full justice to all that has gone on this year would take far too long, but the breadth of opportunity open to our pupils and their achievements during the year deserve to be recorded. I hope you enjoy reading through your booklet at your leisure.

This year I have been interviewed by a researcher for the ‘Good Schools Guide’, and I am delighted at what she has to say about Friends’, saying, quite rightly, that we are ‘not a school that worships at the altar of league tables’. League tables count what can most easily be measured rather than measuring what counts. Fortunately, I do not think there will ever be a way of measuring what really counts, those wider aspects of education; self-confidence and self-esteem, valuing others and the ability to tell right from wrong, and then to act accordingly. ‘Contextual value added’ is the current league table flavour of the month, although the way this particular table is calculated, with measures such as ‘free school meals’ means we will never appear. Nonetheless, both in terms of GCSE and A level results and in terms of the wider curriculum we add considerable ‘value’ to our pupils. The facts that lie behind that statement can be found not only in the booklet you have received today, but also in the young people sitting here, from Nursery to the Sixth Form. We are tremendously proud of their achievements.

But, as I said, let us look ahead.

I have been asked more than once if I intend to make the school more academic. I think I understand what lay behind the question, in terms of our entry policy and selection criteria. The answer is ‘no’, in that to turn Friends’ into a narrowly focused school would fly in the face of the school that we set out to be. It is, I hope, clear what we stand for and it would be wrong to deny the legacy we have been left. I believe I have been allowed the stewardship of the school to maintain the Quaker principles on which it was founded over three hundred years ago, while at the same time leading it in a direction that seeks to ensure that pupils leave fully equipped to meet the challenges of life in the first part of the twenty first century, whatever their starting point. That we should have a wide range of academic, sporting and artistic abilities and socio-economic and cultural backgrounds enriches our community and helps us to instill in our charges a sense of tolerance and acceptance of others’ views of which our founders would approve.

There is no reason, however, why a strong Quaker ethos should not also mean high expectations both of and for our pupils, why values such as respect for others and the recognition of ‘that of God in everyone’ should equate to complacency. We will continue to try to ensure that each individual’s potential is realized, and continue to seek ways to support those who need support and to challenge those who would otherwise be content to ‘coast’. So, not just ‘more academic’ in this respect, but more musical, more artistic and more sporting, since the essence of a Friends’ School education is to educate the whole person and not just that part of him or her that attracts the ‘academic’ label. To this end we continue to try to establish the right conditions in which pupils of all ages can thrive.

I suspect that Friends and Families Day would not be quite the same without some reference to the school’s Development Plans. Of course, we hope that our plans, when submitted, meet with approval and Tony Watson has already outlined the work done to that end. In particular our Junior School pupils and their teachers deserve buildings which complement the high standard of work that they achieve under Andrew Holmes’ leadership. We cannot afford to stand still, however, which is why I am delighted that the governors have supported Andrew’s plans for a significant upgrading in the Junior School’s ICT provision which will be in place next September.

In the Senior school I am pleased to be able to able to carry on the work of my predecessor in ensuring that the curriculum on offer best meets the needs and aptitudes of our students. Design Technology is one of our most popular GCSE subjects and the lack of an A level is a gap in our provision. A major investment in machinery and computer aided design facilities means that DT ‘A’ level is being offered for the first time to our Year 12 from September, with GCSE students also standing to benefit from this investment. Similarly, psychology and photography (the latter being offered through the art department) add to an already impressive breadth of A levels next year.

Numbers of pupils in the Senior school will be at least 10% above the number at the end of the summer term 2006. This will put a strain on some of our facilities, which is why plans are afoot to upgrade the quality of the East and West Common Rooms and other leisure areas in the main building for pupils, as well as continuing our programme of improvements in the boarding houses. I should, at this point, like to thank the governors, especially Tony Watson for the support they have provided in my first year, but also mention Jane Corwin who has, along with other members of the Leadership Team, been the source of sound advice. She also provided one of the lighter moments of the year a fortnight ago when, thanks to an unfortunate typographical error in which the letter ‘r’ was vitally missed out of a word, the Governors’ Finance Committee agenda showed that she was presenting a ‘Daft’ Budget for 2007-08.

Of course, it isn’t only schools that move on and once again this year we have seen some staff leave us. After six year’s service running our Boarding Houses, Brian and Moira Thompson decided to move to the south coast at the end of the Autumn term, not in order to retire, but to take on a new challenge working with severely disabled people for a charity that provides respite care. We have missed their contribution to our school community. We also said ‘goodbye and good luck’ to our 2006 ‘Gap’ students, Edwin Jones and Jacquie Lewinski, who returned to Australia at Christmas to begin their respective university careers.

The Spring term saw Barbara Askew take over as Head of Sixth Form and Girls’ boarding, with Stephen Staerck becoming Head of Boys’ boarding. Both have already had a significant impact, and there is, I feel, a growing sense of ‘belonging’ amongst our boarders and this is due in no small measure to the initiatives and suggestions that Barbara and Stephen have put in place, ably supported by the team of staff whom they lead. Significant among these are Marianna Dorkham and James Kennedy, our current 2007 ‘Gap’ students, who have already contributed greatly to the life of the school. A highlight of the year has been Marianna and James’ rendition of ‘Walzing Matilda’ at the International Evening, which concluded with James’ Steve Irwin-style wrestling of a giant inflatable crocodile.

Emma Wilson has been an innovative Artist in Residence and Assistant Housemistress in Croydon, ensuring a new lease of life for the Octopus Gallery. She leaves this summer, but we are delighted to have some of her paintings displayed around the school as a reminder of her year with us. Sam McCormick has been a tireless Drama Assistant; the popularity of junior drama, especially, throughout the school is testimony to the support he has given Richard Smith this year. Matthew Pack joined us in the New Year and has contributed significantly as a Learning Support Assistant, to PE and to the wider extra-curricular life of Friends’.

Christopher Wren’s memorial in St Paul’s Cathedral invites us to look around to see his legacy. Perhaps not on the same scale, but it is, nonetheless, impossible to walk around school without being impressed by the quality of the art work on display. Phil Richardson, who retires this year from his position as Head of Art, is responsible in no small way for the fine reputation enjoyed by the art department. Fortunately, he will still be teaching here next year, albeit part time. It will be ‘business as usual’ however, as Serena O’Connor steps up to become Head of Art from September.

Gary Oakshott has been far, far more than a Catering Manager at Friends’ and we were sorry to hear last Easter that he would be leaving to start a new career in a very different field. Gary has a personality that people warm to, and it is not at all surprising that sometimes pupils would ask whether Gary could be their mentor rather than a member of the teaching staff; the senior students will miss Gary’s silky soccer skills, picked up from the terraces at Portman Road.

Becky Beswick leaves us this term and is replaced as a Learning Support Assistant by Joanna Wilkins while Glynis Huskisson joins us in September to teach psychology. Michelle Gillmore, our Head of ESOL is set to go on maternity leave and we wish her and husband Peter well and look forward to her returning to show us the fruit of her labours.

In many ways I wish more staff were leaving (but please do not take that the wrong way!) since each deserves recognition for the commitment, dedication and professionalism that they bring to their work. It has been abundantly clear this year that all the staff who work at Friends’, whatever their role, have the interests of your children at heart, both inside the classroom, in the wealth of activities that they offer and in all other areas of the school, providing the ancillary services that keep the school functioning and its pupils safe. I should like to thank them all on your behalf.

Of course there have been other changes of personnel, with our Quartet coming to the end of their time in office. Rebecca Chong, Tom Dickinson, Nat Warner and Dorothy Yeung have each brought something different into the mix, but their complementary attributes have meant that they have been a Quartet which has enjoyed the respect of their fellow pupils and of the staff. They have outgrown us now and I know they are looking forward to the next step in their lives. I would like to thank them for the help they have given me this year and invite them to address us now.

It has been five years since I first arrived at Friends’ school. It seems like a very long time ago looking back. At that time I was unsure of myself, often very homesick since I was a boarder and didn’t know how I was going to progress whilst at this school. When I look back it is often a wonder to see how far I have come as an individual.

My parents and I first visited this school on an open day and we were introduced and given a tour by Adam King, who is our next door neighbour in London and is now in the new Quartet. My parents and I were impressed with the welcome that we received: everyone seemed so friendly and helpful, more so than most of the schools I had known before. I had been at three schools in London before, where both faculty and friends seemed to change rapidly. I knew things would be different here when I learned that Mr Hugall has been at this school for over 30 years!!

Since starting at this school I have developed in many ways, especially in areas such as academic study, sport, as well as achievements in music. I would like to extend a very warm thanks to all the various members of staff who helped me achieve these goals and help get me to where I am now. I particularly recall my experience on the Quaker Pilgrimage about two years ago, which involved a trip to the Lake District. I learned about the man who introduced the Quaker faith (George Fox), and I then came to understand and appreciate what Quakerism was really about (whereas before, when the word “Quaker” was mentioned, I was reminded of that famous porridge oats company!!). My confidence and self esteem has increased to a phenomenal extent and I am most grateful to all the staff and friends as I wouldn’t have come this far withour their help.

I was honoured to be offered a place into the School’s Quartet by Mr Andy Waters. Working in the Quartet has helped me improve tremendously in demonstrating leadership, ability to communicate, as well as teamwork. Working with our new Head, Graham Wigley, has proven to be absolutely delightful and I’d like to give him my thanks for his help and support. My fellow Quartet members, Tom, Rebecca and Dorothy have proven very supportive and I am glad to have worked with them. Not only have we got on so well, but we have become very close friends; as a result I feel we have been able to work together well and achieve many things during the year.

And now, here I am about to depart the school for the last time. Although I shall miss it in many ways, I very much look forward to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. I have accepted a place at the University of St Andrews, where I will be studying Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics. Thanks to this school, I am a lot more self assured about facing those challenges and I am confident that I shall do myself justice.

Once again I would like to give my sincere thanks to all the staff and friends who have supported me and helped me throughout the years.

As I watched the Quartet last year giving their speeches, I suddenly realized that it would be my turn this year but it didn’t worry me, as I knew I had a whole year. How wrong I was and how quickly a year has passed.

I came to this school from Hong Kong two years ago. The first thing I remember about this school is the first meeting for 6i. It was held by JSB. At that time, I couldn’t really hear the English accent. I was shocked when I listened to JSB or probably more scared. He spoke so fast and he seemed not to take a breath. I couldn’t hear any words apart from “hi”. It made me so worried and question whether my English could ever improve enough to understand. However, as time passed and my English improved I began to extract specific words until in no time at all, I was understanding complete sentences; well perhaps not everything that JSB said in Film Studies, but I don’t think I was the only one!

It is a huge challenge for overseas students to come to a different country and speak in a different language at the beginning. It was not just the language but also the new environment, including the food, signs, body language and daily routine without their family to help them adjust. It was hard for me as well but I am glad that the people in this school are all nice and friendly and helpful. I was really worried about my English when I first came. I didn’t have confidence when I talked. But people around me always encouraged me, which made me feel more confident. At that time, I would never have believed that I could have a conversation with people normally and even be standing here today giving a speech on the stage. Friends’ School has given me the chance to develop my language but also to feel a huge part of a supportive community; I am very glad that I chose it.

The thing that really surprised me was being chosen to be a member of the Quartet. I couldn’t believe it when I knew it because I was not the obvious one in the school as I was “too short”. On the day I found out I was very confused. I was really happy that some people trusted me in this world and that they had seen a different side to me, but on the other hand, I didn’t know if I could handle the job. I didn’t know the school that well compared with others. I remember our first pre-School Council meeting, I read the minutes from the last meeting and there was a strange word to say—locker room. It seems everyone knew perfectly what the locker room was apart from me. I was so upset with it. Then I found out the locker room was just another name for common room. I even talked to Becky very seriously because I didn’t know what the locker room was. It was silly when I think about it now, but it was such a big deal for me at that time. I would like to take this opportunity to remind you all just now difficult and alien it can be to arrive from overseas and to continue supporting the overseas students as you have done for me.

Another unforgettable memory for me is International Evening this year. I was compèring with Reggie. It was such a challenging job for us as it was the first time that we did this in a different language. I was so nervous but again it was the supportive Friends audience that helped us through. This experience really helped to build up my confidence and more important is I really enjoyed the process. I need to thank Mrs Gillmore for helping me to push my comfort zone boundaries and giving me the chance to speak in public properly for the first time in this school.

I have thoroughly enjoyed being in the Quartet and looking back perhaps I could have done more but more important it allowed me to play a representative role in the school and I have gained a lot from it, especially friendship from Rebecca, Tom and Nat who I’d like to thank for their support, patience and trust.

It is with some sadness that I will be leaving Friends, but I know it is time to take the next step to university; I am taking some very happy memories with me. I would like to thank the whole community for making Friends' a very positive experience for me and urge all the students to make the most of what Friends’ offers.

Tom: Good morning Ladies and Gentleman. Since becoming part of the Quartet last year, one of the first things we realised was that we faced the rather scary prospects of having to make a speech at Friends and Families day. After attending many of these events over the years, we always thought it must be extremely nerve wracking to speak in front of this many people and actually it really is.

Becky: Initially we had a lot of difficulty trying to write this speech. I’m not a naturally witty writer and although Richard Smith offered his advice as well as suggesting some jokes (which weren’t actually that funny Smithy but thanks anyway) we were still at a bit of a dead end. Having discussed it Tom and I decided that because we had been right the way through senior school together and shared many of the same experiences and memories that it would be appropriate to write our speech together.

Tom: Having been all the way through both the junior and senior school I have now been at friends for 14 years which is quite along time although its not even half as long as Martin Hugall. The school has taught me a lot not just academically but socially as well. It has given me the opportunity to thrive as an individual and to discover that there is more to life than just passing exams. During my time here I have seen many changes and developments to the school as well as 4 different head teachers. The latest of these, Graham Wigley has been a pleasure to work with and we would like to wish him the best of luck for what I’m sure will be a very successful time in charge.

Becky: Unlike Tom I have not been at the same school all my life – (because that’s just sad). I grew up in Hong Kong and by the time I was eleven, my parents had made the decision that I would start secondary school in England. Obviously coming from another country and starting at a new school is a daunting thought, however I knew straight away that this was the right school for me, and I have by no means regretted my choice. Over the years Friends has challenged me, given me many opportunities and helped me gain invaluable life skills, such as self discipline, a good work ethic, respect and perhaps the most worthwhile of all, confidence.

Tom: During my many years here I have had many wonderful experiences and I will take away many happy memories. If I had to pick a particular highlight it would be captaining the year eleven cricket team on our 2005 sports tour to Barbados.

Becky: I too was on this tour and we really did have a great time. I particularly remember the time around the back of the…… I can’t really say that. Or when we hid all the…. No I can’t say that either. Above all, I’ll remember the friendships I’ve made, and the experiences we have shared. Amongst these experiences, some of the fondest I have are of the boarding house. Flexi boarding for two years has enabled me to find the transition between leaving home and going to Uni, a lot easier as well as gain independence and have lots of fun.

Tom: Without turning this into an Oscar speech there’s a few thank yous we’d like to make. Firstly we’d both like to thank our head of sixth form John Searle Barnes or JSB as he’s more commonly known.

Becky: JSB has always been there to offer advice and calm me down throughout my numerous panic attacks. He gives us words of wisdom even if you do have to listen hard to understand him and his knowledge of all things UCAS is second to none.

Tom: I’d like to take this opportunity to publicly thank my mentor John Cowell. Over my time here John has been my form tutor, taught me D.T and been my mentor for the past three years. I’d like to thank him for helping me put everything into perspective when things have been going well and for being a friend when life’s been at its hardest. John, thank you.

Becky: For me, Guy Martin has not only been my Geography teacher but also my mentor and friend as well. Always there to listen to me moan or tolerate my spontaneous conversation outbursts he is so used to hearing in our lessons. Major Martin, thank you for being so patient with me.

Tom: For both of us the next few years will bring many new and exciting opportunities. We will both be taking gap years before heading to university. I will be spending the summer on a professional theatre tour with the British Shakespeare Company as they perform' Henry V' and 'As you like it' at various venues around the U.K and overseas. I then intend to work for a while before travelling abroad to spend time in Australia and Canada. When this has all finished it is my intention to read English and Drama at university.

Becky: In my Gap year I will be travelling to Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore to work with my dad before embarking on a 3 month trip in January to Germany to work in an Advertising and Marketing company in Frankfurt. This is to help gain insight into the industry in which I hope to work as well as develop my language skills. I will continue on to study English language and comparative literary studies at the University of Kent.

Tom: The new members of the Quartet were announced at the start of last term and took over from us at the beginning of this term. We’d like to wish Adam, Leo, Lisa and Sandy every success and hope they enjoy the challenges and opportunities that the role brings.

Becky: For both of us it has been a great honour to be a part of the quartet and we would like to say a big thank you to the other half of our Quartet Nat and Dorothy. They have been a joy to work with and together we have accomplished so much over the past year.

Tom: This school is never only going to be about exam results or league tables. Its very much about the people. And I’m sure I speak for both of us when I say that I have met people with whom I will be friends for the rest of my life.

Becky: To bring our speech to an end, we would like to finish with a quote, which we feel sums up our time here. ‘Do not walk behind me, I may not lead. Do not walk in front of me, I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.’

Thank you very much

Thank you, Becky, Tom, Dorothy and Nat. Good luck to our newly appointed Quartet, Leo Cunningham-Baily, Sandie Dickinson, Adam King and Lisa Kumamoto. I hope you all enjoy your year in office.

It is said that ‘No man is an island’ and no independent school can pretend that it is isolated from national initiatives. Over the coming year we have to plan for considerable changes to the GCSE specifications (science have already travelled down that road). We constantly keep our eye on the developments in post-16 education, the Cambridge Pre-U exam and the baccalaureate. From 14-19, work-related diplomas may have a significant impact nationally. Add to this the imperatives placed on us as a result of the ‘Every Child Matters’ agenda and the Independent Schools inspection for which we are preparing and it is clear that, linked with our own school improvement initiatives, we are in for a busy time ahead. Fortunately, we do not work in isolation. We have, of course our fellow Quaker Schools, as well as supportive associations such as SHMIS, the Boarding Schools Association and the Independent Schools Information Service and I am delighted that Mark Filler from ISCiS is able to join us today.

I was unsure how to end this, my first Friends and Families Day address, until I happened to read, on the jar of marmalade that was on the breakfast table, instructions about how to remove the lid. It said, ‘Turn slowly in anti-clockwise direction, then push off.’ So I will. Thank you.

Graham Wigley
19 May 2007